Pitchfork Announces Groundbreaking Comments Section After 30-Year Silence

Pitchfork is finally giving music fans a voice. The influential music publication will add a comments section to its album reviews in 2026. This ends a nearly three-decade policy of publishing reviews without direct reader feedback.

The move coincides with the site’s 30th anniversary. It represents a major shift for the iconic voice in music criticism. Readers will soon be able to share their own takes directly alongside professional reviews.

Reader Scores to Challenge Official Pitchfork Ratings

The new feature goes beyond simple comments. Readers can assign their own score using Pitchfork’s famous rating system. This user score will appear next to their comment for all to see.

All scores from readers will be aggregated into a collective “reader score.” This community rating will sit beside the official Pitchfork review score. It creates a direct comparison between critical and fan opinions.

The change affects over 30,000 existing album reviews. Each piece will become a new forum for discussion and debate. This transforms the entire archive into an interactive music community.

A Careful Rollout for a Major Platform Evolution

Pitchfork is taking a measured approach to this significant change. The company is currently beta testing the features with 500 readers. This ensures the comments and scoring systems work well before a full public launch.

The platform aims to build the best possible community space. According to the official announcement, more details will follow the beta test. An exact public launch date will be confirmed later.

This evolution acknowledges the changing nature of music discourse. It bridges the gap between professional criticism and fan perspectives. The move could redefine how audiences engage with music journalism.

This new interactive layer promises to make the Pitchfork comments section a vibrant hub for music debate, fundamentally changing how fans interact with one of the web’s most storied music institutions.

Thought you’d like to know

When will Pitchfork comments be available to everyone?

The full public launch is scheduled for 2026. Pitchfork is currently running a limited beta test with 500 users to refine the system before the wide release.

Can I rate albums on Pitchfork?

Yes, the new system will allow readers to assign their own score using the signature Pitchfork rating scale. Your personal score will appear next to your comment on the review page.

Will old reviews get comments too?

Absolutely. The feature will be applied to Pitchfork’s entire archive of over 30,000 album reviews. Every review published since 1996 will become open for comments and user ratings.

How will reader scores be displayed?

Reader scores will be aggregated into a single “reader score” that appears alongside the official Pitchfork review score. This allows for direct comparison between critical and community ratings.

Why is Pitchfork adding comments now?

The change marks Pitchfork’s 30th anniversary in 2026. The publication stated it looks forward to hearing directly from its readers after years of receiving feedback through other channels.

Trusted Sources

Pitchfork Official Announcement